F1 to focus on India, track foundation in October

Brushing aside government's stand that Formula One is not a sport, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone on Wednesday said that the foundation stone of the race track in India would be laid in October for the showpiece event next year.

Ecclestone said that it's been long time that they have signed the contract with the promoters in India and there was noquestion of the event being shelved despite the Indian government's refusal to give concessions.

Asked specifically whether the F1 race in India would go on, Ecclestone said from London," It's been on for a longtime. There's never been any doubt. The contract has been signed long time back."

Ecclestone, the President and CEO of Formula One Management, said that the foundation stone for the project in Greater Noida would be laid at the end of October.

"We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed. The foundation stone would be laid in late October. I will be in India to lay the foundation stone," he said.

Ecclestone made light of sports minister MS Gill's view that Formula One was not a sport.